The September Members meeting is a presentation on the recent 20th century concrete structures ‘project’, InnovaConcrete 20 of the 20th, which involved a joint endeavor from ICOMOS Ireland and DoCoMoMo members, following a request from Sheridan Burke/ISC 2Oth Century Secretary General, for each European National Committee to nominate 5 concrete structures from the 20th Century which would be considered for inclusion in a wider ’20 from the 20th Century’ survey project being carried out.

ICOMOS Ireland made a submission which was based on an intensive few weeks online collaboration from a number of 20th century experts from slightly different fields. A very interesting list of structures were nominated, from which a shortlist was created to the 5 structures finally submitted;

Church of Christ the King, Turners Cross, Cork.

US Embassy, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

The Berkeley Library, Trinity College Dublin.

Donnybrook Bus Garage, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

Ardnacrusha Power Station, Ballykeelaun, Co. Clare.

These 5 buildings were selected on the basis of a range of typologies, ownership and use of concrete, across the country. All buildings are well established and have been acknowledged as examples of high quality architecture and engineering.

This is set to be a very enjoyable and stimulating evening and would urge all interested members to attend.

An update from the ICOMOS International Secretariat on topics that the Secretariat has been focused on in the past few months. The letter, which can be found here, includes an update on the Crowdfunding Campaign, the Sustainable Development Goals Working Group, the World Heritage units and international projects which ICOMOS is involved in.

Of particular note to ICOMOS Ireland members is an update on the Cherishing heritage project, initiated and financed by the European Commission in the context of the European Year of Cultural Heritage, and which ICOMOS is coordinating. The objective is to develop a reference document to help improve the quality of European financing programmes for cultural heritage. A workshop with about fifty experts was held in Paris at the end of May, and all our European Committees were invited to be represented. The photo below of the workshop’s participants includes Grellan Rourke, Jacqui Donnelly, Paul McMahon and Mary McMahon.

AGENDA 2030 AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) convened in New York City, on July 9-18, 2018 to undertake their annual review of progress made on Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, under the theme "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies". The HLPF 2018 event also reviewed SDG11: The Urban Goal; where the UN has recognized the role of culture and heritage in sustainable development, i.e. Target 11.4 to “protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage” in order to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” (Goal 11).

To contribute to the exchange of knowledge and awareness on these themes, this event, held in parallel with the HLPF, focused on ‘Implementing SDG 11.4 through Local Voices and Global Agendas for Cultural & Natural Heritage’, which brought together both local and international stakeholders active in the protection of the world’s natural and cultural heritage.

The HLPF 2018 event included sessions on Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), where countries presented their reports. Prior to presenting the VNR for Ireland, Minister Naughten, met with a group of Irish NGO’s for an hour and a half, in New York on Monday July 16th, which included Peter Cox representing ICOMOS Ireland. Ireland's report can be found here.